Fitness Influencers Are Peddling Mini Stair Steppers on TikTok. Here’s What to Consider Before You Buy.

She isn’t the only person who has turned to a mini stepper to get some extra steps in at home. On TikTok, hundreds of videos show seasoned fitfluencers and newbies alike bouncing up and down on their steppers. Some people, like Pavina, use their steppers in front of the TV; others, like TikTok creator @therealjasminer, bring them outside to soak up some sun while they step. One creator, @kassiemuse, even turns her stepping sessions into mini dance parties. And there’s a wealth of free stepper-exercise routines on YouTube if you want guidance.

The mini stair stepper is just the latest in at-home workout gear, a successor to the under-desk treadmills and walking pads that took over everyone’s feeds during the pandemic. At its most basic, the mini stepper is a stationary machine with two pedals that move up and down to mimic the motion of climbing stairs. It’s similar to the exercise you’d get from walking on a StairMaster or an elliptical, as it engages a variety of lower-body and core muscles, offering a low-impact workout that gets your heart pumping. But its particular appeal, in contrast to traditional home workout equipment, is that this machine comes in a compact package and is a fraction of the price. Most of the mini steppers trending online cost anywhere from $50 to $90.

The low barrier to entry for the mini stepper can be especially appealing to folks who are just starting their fitness journeys, according to certified personal trainer Kelsey Ellis. Such a machine can remove many of the barriers that deter newbies from exercising—like “gymtimidation,” the anxiety that some people feel from working out in front of others at a gym. Steppers are also especially convenient, allowing you to move your body at home without having to push the pause button on your favorite TV show.

They’re not a one-stop shop for fitness, though, and Ellis recommends incorporating other types of exercise, such as strength and agility training, to round out your workouts if you’re able. Still, “any movement is better than no movement,” she said.

Convenience was one of the main benefits that convinced Pavina to buy her own mini stepper. “It’s not something you have to carve out time for,” she told me over the phone while simultaneously using the stepper, proving her point. “If you go to the gym, you have to factor in driving time and time you spend waiting your turn for the equipment. This is literally in my living room.”

The low price was also a big motivator. “I told my husband, if I can use this and walk around Disney without getting out of breath, then we don’t need a gym membership,” she said. Between the cost of a gym membership and the childcare they would need while at the gym, Pavina finds the stepper a better alternative. “To be honest, I would rather spend that money at Disney,” she added.

Most steppers available online—including the Niceday Stair Stepper, which many fitfluencers are, ahem, peddling on TikTok—allow you to adjust the pedal resistance to change the intensity of your workout. Lower resistance makes the pedals easier to move, which is a good option for endurance training. Turning up the resistance makes stepping more challenging and elevates your heart rate faster. Some steppers trending on social media, such as the Sportsroyals Stair Stepper, have pedals that twist from side to side in addition to moving up and down, which can add another level of difficulty to the workout.

If you’re interested in buying your own, personal trainer Ellis recommends first checking the weight capacity. The Niceday Stair Stepper and the Sportsroyals Stair Stepper, the two steppers that are most common on TikTok, have a weight limit of 300 and 330 pounds, respectively. But other steppers have higher weight limits, such as the Keppi Fitness FitStep500 (350-pound limit) and the Noaovo Stair Stepper (400-pound limit).

And if you’re consistent, using a stepper really can make a difference. Pavina has been using her mini stepper for almost a year now, and she finds that it has been instrumental in her personal fitness journey. When she started using the stepper, she averaged 500 steps per session; now, she can sometimes walk 2,000 steps before she tires. And because of her success with the stepper, she opted to post it on her own Amazon-affiliate storefront—continuing the influence cycle of the mini stepper.

This article was edited by Hannah Rimm, Catherine Kast, and Maxine Builder.